The body language was wary
No handshake, no pleasantries
When they both sat down together
To start a new peace
Pretending at first to be strangers
As they carefully pulled up their chairs
One cleaning his glasses half smiling
One running a hand through her hair
Though they knew every line, every furrow
Each other’s habits and traits
Manners and favourite colours
It’s the first time they met face to face
With only a table between them
With bottles of water and pens
And a document waiting for signing
Saying “This is where it all ends!”
The first put his name to the paper
The other one just sat and watched
Taking her time, for good order
Not letting herself to be rushed
“Did you come all this way to ignore me?”
He said, taking bull by the horns
But she was lost, humming the chorus
Of a tune that once was their song
But she checked herself and said “Sorry
My mind was just miles away
It was flicking through the old photos
Of holidays and children at play
“We just have to put that behind us
Though I’m not saying forgive or forget
But if we pool our resources
We could make the best of it yet”
Proceedings were civil and silent
The official professional and short
Complimenting both parties
For avoiding the mess of the courts
The paper-work all done and dusted
They stood up and pocketed pens
There was still no sign of a handshake
No talk of meeting again
They stepped out into the evening
Both taking the last train home
She walked to platform seven
And he walked to platform one
You know you’ve reached the last station
And that it’s the end of the line
When she’s counting the lines on the
ceiling
As you try to one last time